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Steve Collins has sensationally announced he is return to the ring to fight Roy Jones Jr.

The former WBO middleweight and super middleweight champion has not fought since 1997, but now plans to step back through the ropes to take on the American legend.

The pair were reportedly ready to fight on several occasions during the 90s, but Collins believes his rival always came up with an excuse to dodge him.

But the Irishman now looks set to get his chance to prove himself against the four-time world champion, who has won 55 of his 63 professional contests.

Collins, now 48, told Keys and Gray: “It’s not a comeback as such, at my age I’m too old for that, but it will be the end of a 15-year grudge.

“It’s a fight Roy Jones needs. He claims to be one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters around but he refused to fight me.

“I was very happy with my career, but the one fight I wanted was Roy Jones, and when that didn’t happen I retired. To me he was afraid of me. I don’t think he’s a coward, but at the time he was!

“But now it’s happening. I spoke to Roy and we’re going to get it on. He wants one more fight before he retires and this is the one he wants.
“If we get a good offer we’ll split it down the middle and get it on.

“I would like 10-12 weeks to get ready. In my mind I already see how that fight goes and I can see the outcome. I feel like I’ve never been away. I’m looking forward to it."

And Collins dismisses claims this will be a freak show between two ageing warriors well past their best.

“This is still a match," he added. "We’re the same generation. I wouldn’t even consider fighting a guy 15 or 20 years younger than me, because that’s not a match. But we’re the same age and this is a fair match. It won’t be any different to how it would have been 15 years ago.

“I’d love the fight to be in the UK but there is interest from Dubai, Russia, China. Dubai looks the favourite, but we’ll have to see where the offers come from.

“Hopefully we’ll get an offer that’s suitable for us both and we get it on. It will give all old-timers some hope!”

Collins, however, insists he is not stupid enough to risk his health in one last chase for glory.

“I’ve got medical tests arranged and if I don’t get a 100% pass form the doctors, then forget it,” he added. “There’s no way I’ll fight if I don’t get the all-clear.”